Package for securing a multi-pack traveler component

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a packaging apparatus designed to accommodate a plurality of primary packages in a secure child-resistant manner. A plurality of primary packages for storing packaging contents each include at least one aperture. A secondary package houses the plurality of primary packages. A traveler mechanism is coupled with the plurality of primary packages and adapted to fit within the secondary package in a lockable slidable fashion. The traveler mechanism securely retains the plurality of primary packages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One form of pharmaceutical packaging is a blister pack. A blister packis comprised of a generally flat substrate on one side and a pluralityof bubble like cavities on the other side. Within each cavity is storeda unit dose of a pharmaceutical such as a pill, tablet, or capsule. Thecontents within the cavity need not be pharmaceutical per se, however.When a consumer wishes to access the contents of a blister, he pressesdown on the cavity ‘bubble’ causing the contents to pierce the bottomsurface (usually foil or the like) of the blister pack.

Blister packs are a convenient primary form of packaging. However,blister packs generally require a secondary form of packaging. Thesecondary form of packaging serves to protect the primary package aswell as providing a convenient form for labeling. More importantly,however, the secondary packaging can also provide a means for securingthe primary package from children as a safety feature since the contentsof the primary packages can often be dangerous.

One of the safety measures associated with the secondary packaging isthe ability to ‘lock’ and ‘unlock’ a primary package within a secondarypackage. Secondary packages have been comprised of many materialsincluding paperboard packaging solutions and hard plastic shell typesolutions. In general, the secondary packages receive a primary packageand can securely seat it within a chamber such that it can not bewithdrawn without manipulating a locking mechanism. A typical lockingmechanism includes catches that prevent the primary package from beingwithdrawn unless a tab type mechanism can be separated from a tab catchmechanism.

Typical packaging solutions only accommodate a single primary packagewithin a secondary package. In these solutions, the primary packageitself is in a direct cooperative relationship with the secondarypackage. This can be inefficient if the contents of the primary packageare used up rather quickly or if the primary package can onlyaccommodate a relatively small number of discrete items.

Blister packs are not the only form of primary packaging that can beaccommodated in the solutions described above. Such systems can protectprimary packages that contain, for instance, medical devices such assyringes, dermal strip medications, liquid vials or ampules, etc. Theprimary package can be used to store and protect just about anythingthat can be retained by the relatively flat primary packaging medium.

What is needed is a single secondary packaging solution that canaccommodate multiple primary packages in a secure child resistantmanner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment there is disclosed a packaging apparatus designed toaccommodate a plurality of primary packages in a secure child-resistantmanner. A plurality of primary packages for storing packaging contentseach include at least one aperture. A secondary package houses theplurality of primary packages. A traveler mechanism is coupled with theplurality of primary packages and adapted to fit within the secondarypackage in a lockable slidable fashion. The traveler mechanism securelyretains the plurality of primary packages.

The secondary package is comprised of plastic top and bottom portionsthat can be snap fit (or glued or otherwise adhered) together such thatwhen fit together, the secondary package defines an interior chamberthat is open on one end and closed on the opposite end. The secondarypackage is further comprises an elongated tapered stop on the interiorsurface of at least one of the top and bottom portions of the secondarypackage and at least one traveler stop on the interior surface of atleast one of the top and bottom portions of the secondary packagepositioned near the open end of the interior chamber.

The secondary package further comprises a locking tab release positionedsuch that depressing the locking tab release while the travelermechanism is in the locked position within the secondary package willcause the release tab stop of the traveler mechanism to clear theelongated tapered stop of the secondary package allowing the travelermechanism to unlock and be slidably withdrawn from the secondarypackage.

The top and bottom portions of the secondary package further include athumb/finger indent at the open end front edge to assist a person whengrasping a primary package contained within the secondary package.

The traveler mechanism is comprised of top and bottom portions that canbe snap fit (or glued or otherwise adhered) together such that when fittogether, the traveler mechanism can be seated within the interiorchamber of the secondary package in a lockable and slidable fashion. Thetraveler mechanism further comprises a flexible release tab thatincludes a release tab stop on at least one of the top and bottomportions of the traveler mechanism such that the release tab stop willabut the elongated tapered stop in a locked position that prevents thetraveler mechanism from sliding outward. The traveler mechanism furthercomprises a flat surface adapted to engage the at least one travelerstop to prevent the traveler mechanism from being completely withdrawnfrom within the interior chamber of the secondary package and at leastone post adapted to fit within the at least one aperture of theplurality of primary packages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the components that form a hard plasticsleeve packaging solution comprised of primary and secondary packagingand a traveler mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the components that form a hardplastic sleeve packaging solution showing the primary packaging coupledwith the traveler mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a see through perspective view of the hard plastic sleevepackaging solution showing the primary packaging coupled with thetraveler mechanism and seated within the secondary packaging accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is another see through perspective view of the hard plasticsleeve packaging solution showing just the traveler mechanism seatedwithin the secondary packaging according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a first perspective view of the traveler mechanism in a closedposition according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of the traveler mechanism in aclosed position according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a third perspective view of the traveler mechanism in an openposition according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a first see through cut-away side view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a second see through cut-away side view of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention describes an improved packaging system comprisedof a hard plastic shell secondary package adapted to receive and house aplurality of primary packages (such as, for instance, a plurality ofblister packs) via a traveler mechanism. Rather than having theplurality of primary packages connect directly in a cooperativerelationship with the secondary package, the plurality of primarypackages are coupled with the traveling mechanism. The travelingmechanism is then coupled with the secondary package in a cooperativerelationship that permits the traveler to be securely housed within thesecondary package yet also allows the traveler mechanism to besubstantially withdrawn to expose the contents of the primary packages.

For ease of description, the hard plastic shell may also be referred toas a sleeve package throughout this disclosure. The sleeve package isgenerally formed from two pieces of plastic (top and bottom) that snapfit to one another. Once fitted together, one end of the sleeve packageremains substantially open and an interior chamber is formed that isadapted to receive and house a plurality of primary packages. There areone or more locking and unlocking mechanisms on and about the sleevepackage and the traveler mechanism that operate to securely retain theplurality of primary packages within the sleeve package. To withdraw andexpose the primary packages, a consumer must know how to operate thesecondary package to release the locking mechanism(s). These lockingmechanisms provide the entire packaging solution with an enhanced degreeof child resistant safety features.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the components that form a plasticsleeve packaging solution comprised of primary and secondary packagingand a traveler mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention.The secondary package 100 comprised of a top piece 102 and bottom piece104 is shown assembled. The top piece 102 and the bottom piece 104 aregenerally snap fit (or glued or adhered in some other manner) togetherusing a plurality of reciprocating connections (not shown). The resultis a secondary package 100 that is closed at one end and open 106 at theother end. The top 102 and bottom 104 pieces also include a thumb/fingerindent at the open end front edge to assist a person when grasping aprimary package contained within the secondary package.

The traveler mechanism 200 is also comprised of a top piece 204 andbottom piece 206 and is shown assembled. In its assembled state, thetraveler mechanism 200 is adapted to fit snugly yet slidably within theopen end of the secondary package 100. The top piece 204 and the bottompiece 206 can share a common edge seam 202 and are generally snap fittogether using a plurality of reciprocating connections. The edge seam202 is not a requirement, however, meaning the top piece 204 and bottompiece 206 can be separate from one another and snap fit together. Alsoshown are a pair of posts 230 that are designed to accept the pluralityof primary packages via apertures prior to snap fitting the top piece204 to the bottom piece 206. A pair of primary packages 300 in the formof blister packs are also shown. The primary packages further includethe aforementioned apertures 310 that fit over the posts 230 of thetraveler mechanism 200.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the components that form a plasticsleeve packaging solution showing the primary packaging 100 coupled withthe traveler mechanism 200 according to an embodiment of the invention.In this illustration, the primary packages 300 have been looped over theposts 230 (not seen here) and the top piece 204 and the bottom piece 206have been snap fit (or glued or adhered in some other manner) together.The combination of the traveler mechanism 200 and the primary packages300 are ready for placement within the secondary package 100.

The preferred method of constructing the entire packaging system firstloops the primary packages 300 over the posts 230 of the travelermechanism 200. The traveler mechanism 200 is then snap fit together toproduce what is shown in FIG. 2. The next step would be to place thecombined traveler mechanism 200 and primary packages 300 on top of thebottom piece 104 of the secondary package 100 such that the travelermechanism 200 will slide along the bottom surface of the bottom piece104. The top piece 102 of the secondary package 100 can then be snap fitto the bottom piece 104 thereby securing the traveler mechanism 200within the chamber defined by the assembled secondary package 100. Theopen end of the secondary package 100 is carved slightly inward andincludes a plurality of traveler stops 110 such that the travelermechanism 200 can not be completely withdrawn from the secondary package100. The opening is slightly smaller than the size of traveler mechanism200. The flat edge of the traveler mechanism 220 will contact thetraveler stops 110 of the secondary package 100 to prevent the travelerfrom being completely withdrawn. Also shown is the locking tab release120 on the top piece 102 of the secondary package 100.

FIG. 3 is a see through perspective view of the plastic sleeve packagingsolution showing the primary packaging 300 coupled with the travelermechanism 200 and seated within the secondary packaging 100 according toan embodiment of the invention. In this illustration, the secondarypackaging 100 is shown as transparent allowing a view to the inside ofthe secondary packaging 100. The primary packaging and travelermechanism 200 have been inserted completely within the secondarypackaging such that the child resistant locking mechanisms have engaged.In this instance, the inside surface of the top piece 102 of thesecondary package 100 includes an elongated tapered stop 130 justforward of the locking tab release 120. As will be more fully describedlater, the traveler mechanism 200 slides over the elongated tapered stop130 until it catches on the other side of the stop 130. Once caught, thetraveler mechanism 200 can only be released using the locking tabrelease 120.

FIG. 4 is another see through perspective view of the plastic sleevepackaging solution showing just the traveler mechanism 200 seated withinthe secondary packaging 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.This view eliminates the primary packaging 300 from view so that theinteraction between the traveler mechanism 200 and the secondarypackaging 100 can be seen. As described earlier, the traveler mechanism200 will slide over the elongated tapered stop 130 until it catches onthe other side of the stop 130. The traveler mechanism 200 includes acombination flexible release tab 205 and release tab stop 210. As thetraveler mechanism 200 slides over the elongated tapered stop 130, theflexible release tab 205 is deformed until it springs back into placeone the elongated tapered stop 130 has been cleared. At this point therelease tab stop 210 will engage the elongated tapered stop 130 if thetraveler mechanism 200 is pulled outward preventing the withdrawal ofthe traveler mechanism 200. Only when the flexible release tab 205 hasbeen deformed again to allow the release tab stop 210 to clear theelongated tapered stop 130 can the traveler mechanism 200 be withdrawn.This occurs when the locking tab release 130 on the secondary package100 is depressed inward by the user enough to cause the flexible releasetab 205 to deform. The traveler mechanism 200 can now be withdrawn up tothe point where the flat edge 220 meets the traveler stops 110 of thesecondary packaging 100.

It should be noted that the locking mechanisms just described can beplaced on the top portion of the packaging system, the bottom portion ofthe packaging system or on both the top and bottom portions of thepackaging system.

FIG. 5 is a first perspective view of the traveler mechanism 200 in aclosed position according to an embodiment of the invention. The purposeof the traveler mechanism 200 is to (1) receive and secure a pluralityof primary packages 300, and (2) slidably and securely engage with asecondary package 100 such that the primary packages 300 can be accessedby a user of the packaging system.

To achieve the first purpose, the traveler mechanism 200 includes a pairof posts 230 that are adapted to fit within corresponding apertures 310of the primary packages 300 to securely connect and retain the primarypackages 300 to the traveler mechanism 200. Securing and retaining theprimary packages 300 to the traveler mechanism 200 is a process thatbegins before the traveler mechanism is fully assembled as shown in FIG.5.

To achieve the second purpose, the traveler mechanism 200 has beenconstructed and shaped to fit within the chamber defined by theassembled secondary packaging 100. In one embodiment, the travelermechanism 200 is comprised of two pieces that can be snap fit to oneanother to form the single mechanism. The two piece structure permitsexposing the aforementioned posts 230 such that the primary packageapertures 310 can be looped over the posts 230 before the travelermechanism 200 is snap fit (or glued or otherwise adhered) together. Thetraveler mechanism 200 design allows the traveler mechanism 200 andprimary packages 300 combination to be seated within the chamber definedby the assembled secondary packaging 100 such that it can slide back andforth within the chamber. There are components on both the travelermechanism 200 and the secondary packaging 100 that cooperate at eitherend of the chamber. On the open end of the chamber, the travelermechanism includes a flat surface 220 that will engage a traveler stop110 on the secondary package 100 to prevent the traveler mechanism 200(and primary packages 300) from being completely separated from thesecondary packaging 100. On the closed end of the chamber, the travelermechanism includes a combination flexible release tab 205 that includesa release tab stop 210 that can be depressed inward when an externalforce is applied. The combination flexible release tab 205 that includesa release tab stop 210 is designed to engage and cooperate withelongated tapered stop 130 that is part of the inner upper surface ofthe secondary packaging 100. As the traveler mechanism 200 slidesfurther into the chamber of the secondary package 100 it eventuallyencounters the elongated tapered stop 130 and begins to depress inwardas it rides up the tapered aspect of the elongated tapered stop 130.Once it clears the length of the elongated tapered stop 130 thecombination flexible release tab 205 that includes a release tab stop210 snaps back to its original position such that the release tab stop210 abuts the non-tapered straight edge of the elongated tapered stop130. In this ‘locked’ position, the traveler mechanism 200 can not bewithdrawn (without unlocking) because the release tab stop 210 willengage the non-tapered straight edge of the elongated tapered stop 130whenever the combination traveler mechanism 200 and primary packages 300is attempted to be withdrawn.

While the traveler mechanism 200 (and secondary packaging 100)interaction above has been described as applied with respect to the topportion of the traveler mechanism 200, it may also be applied to thebottom portion of the traveler mechanism 200 either in lieu of the topportion or in addition to the top portion.

FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of the traveler mechanism 200 in aclosed position according to an embodiment of the invention. Thisillustration affords another view of the combination flexible releasetab 205 that includes a release tab stop 210.

FIG. 7 is a third perspective view of the traveler mechanism 200 in anopen position according to an embodiment of the invention. Thisillustration shows how the posts 230 can be exposed prior to assemblysuch that the primary packages 300 can be looped over the posts 230 viathe apertures 310 included on the primary packages 300. A pair of postsnap fit connectors 235 are illustrated that will engage the hollowedout tops of the posts 230 when the traveler mechanism 200 is snapped (orglued or otherwise adhered) into the closed position.

FIG. 8 is a first see through cut-away side view of FIG. 4. Thisillustration affords a view of the traveler mechanism 200 (withoutprimary packages 300 attached) in the locked position within thesecondary package 100. The combination flexible release tab 205 thatincludes a release tab stop 210 is shown abutting up against thenon-tapered straight edge of the elongated tapered stop 130. If a userwere to try to slide the traveler mechanism 200 out of the secondarypackage 100 without releasing the locking mechanism, the release tabstop 210 would engage the non-tapered straight edge of the elongatedtapered stop 130 enough to prevent withdrawal of the traveler mechanism200. However, if the locking tab release 120 on the top piece 102 of thesecondary package 100 were to be depressed enough by the user, it woulddepress the combination flexible release tab 205 that includes a releasetab stop 210 to the point that the flexible release tab 205 would clearthe non-tapered straight edge of the elongated tapered stop 130 enoughto allow the traveler mechanism to be withdrawn.

FIG. 8 further shows that the locking and release components andmechanisms (110, 120, 130 205, 210) can be (but do not necessarily needto be) duplicated on the top and bottom surfaces of the packagingsolution.

FIG. 9 is a second see through cut-away side view of FIG. 4. Thisillustration affords a different view of the traveler mechanism 200(without primary packages 300 attached) in the locked position withinthe secondary package 100. The combination flexible release tab 205 thatincludes a release tab stop 210 is again shown abutting up against thenon-tapered straight edge of the elongated tapered stop 130.

The description above has described a locking/release mechanism in whichthe traveler mechanism 200 is completely contained within the secondarypackage 100. An alternative embodiment is one in which the secondarypackage 100 includes an aperture rather than a locking tab release 120and the release tab stop 210 on traveler mechanism 200 is inverted suchthat it protrudes from the aperture on the secondary package 100. Inthis embodiment, the user would apply an inward force on the invertedrelease tab stop to force it back within the interior chamber of thesecondary package 100 to ‘unlock’ the packaging solution at which timethe traveler mechanism 200 could be withdrawn from the secondary packageto expose the attached primary packages 300.

The size and depth of the secondary package 100 and traveler mechanism200 are generally a function of the number and depth of the primarypackages 300. The greater the number of primary packages to be includedin a packaging solution, the deeper the secondary package 100 andtraveler mechanism 200.

It is believed that the present invention includes many otherembodiments that may not be herein described in detail, but wouldnonetheless be appreciated by those skilled in the art from thedisclosures made. Accordingly, this disclosure should not be read asbeing limited only to the foregoing examples or only to the designatedpreferred embodiments.

1. A packaging apparatus comprising: a plurality of primary packages forstoring packaging contents, each primary package including at least oneaperture: a secondary package for housing the plurality of primarypackages; and a traveler mechanism coupled with the plurality of primarypackages and adapted to fit within the secondary package in a lockableslidable fashion, the traveler mechanism for securely retaining theplurality of primary packages.
 2. The packaging apparatus of claim 1wherein the secondary package is comprised of plastic top and bottomportions that can be snap fit together such that when snap fit together,the secondary package defines an interior chamber that is open on oneend and closed on the opposite end.
 3. The packaging apparatus of claim2 wherein the secondary package is further comprises an elongatedtapered stop on the interior surface of at least one of the top andbottom portions of the secondary package.
 4. The packaging apparatus ofclaim 3 wherein the secondary package is further comprises at least onetraveler stop on the interior surface of at least one of the top andbottom portions of the secondary package positioned near the open end ofthe interior chamber.
 5. The packaging apparatus of claim 4 wherein thetraveler mechanism is comprised of top and bottom portions that can besnap fit together such that when snap fit together, the travelermechanism can be seated within the interior chamber of the secondarypackage in a lockable and slidable fashion.
 6. The packaging apparatusof claim 5 wherein the traveler mechanism further comprises a flexiblerelease tab that includes a release tab stop on at least one of the topand bottom portions of the traveler mechanism such that the release tabstop will abut the elongated tapered stop in a locked position thatprevents the traveler mechanism from sliding outward.
 7. The packagingapparatus of claim 6 wherein the traveler mechanism further comprises aflat surface adapted to engage the at least one traveler stop to preventthe traveler mechanism from being completely withdrawn from within theinterior chamber of the secondary package.
 8. The packaging apparatus ofclaim 7 wherein the traveler mechanism further comprises at least onepost adapted to fit within the at least one aperture of the plurality ofprimary packages.
 9. The packaging apparatus of claim 8 wherein thesecondary package further comprises a locking tab release positionedsuch that depressing the locking tab release while the travelermechanism is in the locked position within the secondary package willcause the release tab stop of the traveler mechanism to clear theelongated tapered stop of the secondary package allowing the travelermechanism to unlock and be slidably withdrawn from the secondarypackage.
 10. The packaging apparatus of claim 9 wherein the top andbottom portions of the secondary package further include a thumb/fingerindent at the open end front edge to assist a person when grasping aprimary package contained within the secondary package.